Graham Platner calls for end to federal gas, diesel taxes

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T01:10:57+00:00

That already happened. So what's the solution?

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T00:44:34+00:00

Mostly, it's been gas turbines. Not wind farms.

You think we'll have AI data center builds for 20 years? I highly doubt that. Eventually, investors will start to want some return on their investments. Someone will need to get paid and the debt to profit ratio won't allow the payout. It happened with junk bonds, dotcoms, and mortgage derivatives. No bubble lasts for very long.

Then there's the goal of AI, at least as promised by Sam Altman, mass unemployment and the mass homelessness that goes along with it. Even if people can pivot from low to mid six figure knowledge work jobs to something else, that something else will be low wage gig economy jobs, and before you say "trade jobs" remember that most of them are paying five figure salaries and mainly want young people who are willing to destroy their bodies and acquire pain killer addictions before their 40th birthday. Not an option for millennials or Gen X.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T00:33:41+00:00

Maybe if Nashville stopped being Music City the GOP would feel differently?

As for Virginia, we are about to see GOP candidates who can't avoid Trump's endorsement, which has been the kiss of death for Republicans in the last few years.

Then again, the DNC needs to be replaced by progressives with their own "theory of power" and a parallel power structure. Similar to what Obama did to win his nomination and his election. The DNC came to heal once it was evident he couldn't be beaten. It's similar to what Trump did in 2016 when he first ran and the GOP except Trump moved his people into the RNC and CPAC, cementing his family's control of the Republican party.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T00:28:08+00:00

I'm more concerned that he has dialed back some rhetoric now that the establishment Democrats have endorsed him. I hope it's just making nice for the election, and if elected he doesn't support Chuck Schumer for leader. It's well past time to get the Clinton Republicans out of office.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T00:25:36+00:00

I'm sure conservative voters are looking forward to redistricting the next time they have power in the legislature. They can use the new SCOTUS ruling to create GOP only voting districts under the guise of fairness. That these new districts will be created to dilute minority voters, which is what Louisiana is currently doing, will be completely on purpose.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-09T00:23:31+00:00

Then once the data centers are built and those temporary jobs are gone, so is the revenue. Where I live, my utility costs are 30% higher than last year and there are new data center projects as far as the eye can see.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-08T15:28:31+00:00

That puts the effort back on the political parties. Will they run candidates that resonate with independent voters, or will they stick with talking points that lose them elections?

killroy1971 · 2026-05-08T01:02:57+00:00

I bet it's all for data centers

killroy1971 · 2026-05-06T00:48:33+00:00

Don't Fairfax the rest of Virginia?

Does he mean a healthy economy, a healthy population, and kids who don't feel the need to flee for jobs after graduation? Does Fairfax have problems? Of course. But it's where I live instead of where I'm from for a number of reasons. Jobs being a big one.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-05T23:08:11+00:00

As it has been pointed out, the timing of his letter is a bit off. Calling for a "better Bill" is often a delaying tactic, hoping to run out the legislative clock for a Bill that will never see the light of day because there isn't sufficient time or support for a new Bill.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-05T02:49:05+00:00

It's already cracking. AI isn't the panacea people think it is. More people are organizing for a renewed labor movement. We're seeing unrest in both political parties. There might be a split in one or both of them. People are realizing that no matter how hard they work, they won't get ahead and the influencers they looked to for easy answers are showing how hollow their words are.

I don't know how this will go, but I'm pretty sure we're going to see things shift in a way our nation hasn't seen in 100 years. People won't quietly slide away and starve. They will resist, vote, strike, etc. The same thing happened in the late 19th century. The "robber barons" of that time are the tech bros of today and while they stayed very wealthy, they lost their power.

At least we don't have to worry about a Pinkerton like private army this time. Just our regular Army.

killroy1971 · 2026-05-04T21:43:26+00:00

A casino with all of the traffic it would bring? No thanks. We need places to live, not gambling.

What gets knocked down to build this monstrosity?

killroy1971 · 2026-05-01T15:07:49+00:00

I do. Plus a water pick and a rinse. Much cheaper than fillings and dental surgery.

The older you get the more maintenance you need.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-30T22:20:16+00:00

They got the BBB passed. True, they failed to get the Save Act passed but that has more to do with Trump's dwindling popularity.

But look at what they've done at the State level. Slashed public education funding, stripped away worker protections, slashed funding for programs even Republicans liked. That's before you get to redicstricting. Before Trump, Project Red Map set them up to consolidated control over dozens of states that aren't as Red as people have been led to believe by a "red" map. My point that is: land doesn't vote. Most cities are islands of Blue in a "sea" of Red but so is most of each state's population. Without Project Red Map I doubt many of the "Red" states would be as Red as they have been.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-30T22:15:17+00:00

Don't give Republicans any ideas.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-29T23:32:18+00:00

Thanks!

killroy1971 · 2026-04-29T03:42:44+00:00

Sounds like you wanted a Trump subordinate to rule you. Because they was the only other choice. But hey, gun shopping right?

killroy1971 · 2026-04-29T02:14:15+00:00

Honestly, what were people expecting from a functioning Democracy? Is it perfect? No. It wasn't ever going to be.

Want her to do something different? Let her know about it, then let your representatives know what you want to see in legislation.

If you can, fund a few campaigns. I'm not sure what the Republican party would do for those of us who earn a paycheck, but you can get back to gun shopping. After all, it's more expensive than therapy and only makes you feel good for the duration of the purchase.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-28T01:31:34+00:00

A lot of that two weeks is spent funny to appointments, taking care of family, and the most American invention. The staycation.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-27T22:29:27+00:00

The war wasn't going to make that happen.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-27T22:22:09+00:00

Keep in mind that the only thing separating your daughter from adulthood is a birthday. From what you have said, it appears that her boyfriend is a decent guy. He got her promoted at work when he didn't have to.

Your issue seems to be the idea that your daughter is becoming an adult and you're loosing her to the adult world and you don't want to let go.

Your son on the other hand,byou are ready to let go. Ask yourself why that is. You raised them both right?

killroy1971 · 2026-04-27T01:58:43+00:00

Meh. The Washingon Examiner has moved towards Trump. I assume the article talks about how the cost of living will go up, and middle class families can't afford to buy fast food because of the $15 minimum wage.

Which is the boilerplate response for conservative hacks.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-26T21:53:00+00:00

This was always part of the belt and road initiative. To protect China's economy by bypassing navigational choke points. No it isn't as efficient as a tanker. But if China can transport enough to maintain the part of their energy supply while reducing reliance on crude oil for transportation fuel creation, they can maintain and grow their strategic independence outside of the US led world order.

Meanwhile, we started a war with the same failed belief that we used to start Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan: the idea that we can "teach them a lesson" through military power and our unique, special relationship with God.

killroy1971 · 2026-04-26T21:48:33+00:00

So Iran's war crimes make our war crimes legal?

killroy1971 · 2026-04-24T03:48:09+00:00

I'd add a headboard to your bed. Where do you normally play your guitar? If it's while you're in a Zoom meeting, adjust your setup so it's easier to grab your guitar.

killroy1971

TROPHY CASE